Dispensing closure



Oct 13, 1942. o. H. SEGERLUNDl 2,298,655

DISPENS ING CLOSURE Filed May 21, 1941 INVENTOR 11H. SEGERLUND ATTORN E Patented Oct. 13, 1942 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 2,298,655 DISPENSING CLOSURE David H. Segerlund, Detroit, Application May 21, 1941, Serial No. 394,429

6 Claims.

Another object is the provision of means wh'ereby these sealing members or devices above mentioned will not become automatically locked closed upon the container being subjected to wide temperature variations such as in refrigeration which creates a vacuum in the container.

A still further object is the constructing of the device in such a manner as to preclude tampering with the internal mechanism, or the removal of the entire device without the destruction of one or more of its parts.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view of my invention, showing the various parts in closed or non-pouring position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1, showing the inner rib structure for guiding and centering the stem of the upper valve or rescaling device.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along th line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the lower valve or secondary seal and the body guide members.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the location of the relief groove as at the line 4-4 on Fig. 5 or as at 40 on Figs. 1 and 5.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the complete closure in pouring position with both valves open.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the upper valve member illustrating the rib structure of same.

Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of the closure with the parts slightly separated.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the invention comprises a hollow body ID or housing, preferably cylindrical in form, having integrally molded therein a metal ferrule I l or shell, said ferrule depending from the body l0 and adapted to be spun into an external groove I2 formed in the neck of a container 13. Attention is directed to the fact that the metal ferrule II is embedded that a comparatively weakened portion [4 is formed. Consequently any attempt to remove the fitment by tampering with the ferrule at points [2 or M will result in a strain at M to the extent that said portion in all probability will break entirely, or at least crack s'uflic'iently to leak and thereby prevent'reuse of the container fitment.

, A pouring spout l 5 at the upper end of the body If] is formed externally in the usual manner, i. e., a shear lip l6 and a retracted or undercut portion I! to provide for proper pouring and shearing of the stream. Internally the pouring spout includes a tapered valve seat It and a valve l9 normally seated thereon. The valve seat I8 is provided with a venting groove 20 (Fig. 4.) of such dimension that liquid will not pass when the valve is seated except under extreme pressure and yet will permit entrance or exit of air. This arrangement prevents ..the locking of said valve due to any creation of a differential pressure within and between the body [0 of the device and the inside of the container [3 when under refrigeration, or other temperature varying which the liquid being dispensed may flow from or molded into the body [0 to such an extent 55 the container I3. These ribs are of such shape and dimensions as to form guide means for the uard member 26. An annular series of ribs above the first named series, guides the reduced neck portion of the guard. Said guard 26 and the valve [9 are connected together by a press fit connection as at?! (Fig. 5) so as to move as a unit during opening and closing of the pouring spout i8.

Inserted in the lower opening of the body [0 (Fig. 1) is a valve seat 30' or ring, having a ceritral opening 3| upon which is positioned a valve 32 This valve 32 is free to move relative the valve seat 3!], but in non-pouring position is retained on said seat by means of a free weight 33 in the form of a ball.

Theguard 26 is hollow as at 35 to provide clearance for the ball 33 and at the same. time furnish a guide for controlling the path of .moVe'- ment of said ball. In pouring position, .they ball will normally rest upon the surface 36 of they guard 26 allowing the valve 32 to be free and capable of floating into sealing position on the seat 30 upon anyattempt being made to direct liquid into the container.

Movement of the container from pouring phsition to vertical or normal upright position immediately results in movement of the ball 33 by gravity into the recess 31 of the valve 32, thereby closing same against the seat 30. A cone formation 38 on the valve 32 prevents the valve from ever moving beyond the confines of the opening 3|, and functions as a guide which insures proper positioning of the valve for closing the opening 3|.

A venting groove 40 is provided in the valve seat 30, said groove being of such a size as to preclude gravity flow of liquid therethrough when the valve is seated, but to permit a comparatively small flow under extreme pressure. This groove 40 provides a means of equalizing pressures within and without the container under temperature differentials and thus prevents air or vacuum locking of the valve 32 upon the seat 30. This groove 40 is of the same shape and dimensions as groove 20 (Fig. 4). herein described may of course be formed in the face of each valve rather than the seat, and still perform the desired function. Moreover, the groove 20 may in some instances be omitted.

In order to prevent the fioat valve 32 from becoming attached to the ball 33, an annular series of grooves 42 are provided in the inner face 31 of said valve, thus insuring that said valve will always remain free to fioat when the container is in pouring position or any positlon opposed to a vertical closed position.

To provide means to make it difficult to wire loc the valve 32, in an open position for unauthorized refilling of the container, an angular annular recess 43 is formed between the inner wall of the body i and the outer upper wall of the valve seat 30. This recess 43, together with the extension 44 of guard 26, will in most instances force a wire or similar object into the recess 43 upon any such instrument being inserted into the body Ill.

A closure cap 45 with a cork or foil liner 46 is adapted to be screwed in place at 41 on the body 10 to provide a means for sealing and resealing the complete package as desired.

In operation of the device the parts are normally in the position shown in Fig. l with the valves I9 and 32 seated upon their respective valve seats l8 and 3|. In this position the valve I9 is seated only by its own weight, while valve 32 is retained in its seated position by means of the free weight ball 33. This arrangement of parts provides a double valve which prevents evaporation of the liquid in either the container I3 or the body 10.

To remove the contents from the container 13, it is tilted to horizontal position or slightly therebeyond (as in Fig. whereupon the ball 33 positively forces the guard 26 and its attached valve l9 to open position, while at the same time releasing valve 32 fromthe weight 33, allowing the liquid contents to emerge from the container l3 and float the valve 32 intoopen position. The valve 32 is made of such material and of such dimensions that it is buoyant and will float in liquor. Consequently if any attempt is made to flow liquor into the bottle while said valve is free of the weight 33, the valve will float into sealing position on the seat 30.

From the preceding description it will be apparent that in one direction of motion the ball 33 positively actuates the valve I9 to .open the same, while in its opposite direction of travel it positively closes valve 32. In order that the pouring qualities of this device will be at a max- The two venting grooves imum of efiiciency, the valve l9 has formed on its under side, a series of ribs l9 which function as air breathers or a vent during the pouring operation. This provides smooth pouring as well as acceleration of the rate of pouring. As shown in Fig. 2, the ribs hold the valve I9 centered with respect to its seat I8, thus preventing splitting of the stream of liquid as it is poured.

It should also be apparent that this device provides both a built-in pouring spout and a tamper-proof fitment which functions to prevent evaporation of the container contents; prohibits entrance of gnats or other insects into the container; prevents either the container or the fitment from becoming vacuum locked; provides rescaling of the container; prevents removal and reuse of the pour spout; and makes 7 it difficult,if not impossible, to either adulterate the contents of the container or refill same.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit .and scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a dispensing closure of the character described, a generally cylindrical housing initially open at both ends, a Valve seat at each end, one seat formed internally of the housing and the other seat externally thereof, a valve body within the housing normally resting upon the internal seat, a second valve normally resting upon the external seat, means limiting relative movement of said valves, a ball weight for opening the external valve and closing the internal valve alternatively and a vent for each valve affording communication between the interior and exterior of said housing.

2. In a dispensing closure for a receptacle having a neck, a generally cylindrical housng attached to and extending outwardly from the neck, a valve seat at the inner end of said housing, a valve normally resting upon said seat, said housing having its outer end reduced in diameter and provided with a continuous outwardly fiared valve seat coaxial with the first named valve seat, a valve normally resting upon the flared seat, a hollow guard depending axially from the last named valve and terminating in close proximity to the first named valve, a ball weight positioned within the guard and normally resting upon the first valve and out of actual contact with said guard, said weight operating to seat the first named valve and open the second valve in alternation in response to predetermined changes in the position of the receptacle and means providing vents across at least one of said valve seats.

3. In a dispensing closure for a receptacle having a neck, a generally cylindrical housing attached to and extending outwardly from the neck, a valve seat at the inner end of said housing, a valve normally resting upon said seat, said housing having its outer end reduced in diameter and provided with a continuous outwardly flared valve seat coaxial with the first named valve seat, a valve normally resting upon the flared seat, a hollow guard depending axially from the last named valve and terminating in close proximity to the first named valve, a ball weight positioned within the guard and normally resting upon the first valve and out of actual contact with said guard, said weight operating to seat the first named valve and open the second valve in alternation in response to predetermined changes in the position of the receptacle and means providing vents across at least one of said valve seats, said vents each comprising a shallow groove extending entirely across the corresponding valve seat. v

4. In a dispensing closure for a receptacle having a neck, a generally cylindrical housing attached to and extending outwardly from the neck, a valve seat at the inner end of said housing, a valve normally resting upon said seat, said housing having its outer end reduced in diameter and provided with a continuous outwardly flared valve seat coaxial with the first named valve seat, a valve normally resting upon the flared seat, a hollow guard depending axially from the last named valve and terminating in close proximity to the first named valve, a ball weight positioned within the guard and normally resting upon the first valve and out of actual contact with said guard, said weight operating to seat the first named valve and open the second valve in alternation in response to predetermined changes in the position of the receptacle and means providing Vents across both of said valve seats.

5. In a dispensing closure for a receptacle having a neck, a generally cylindrical housing attached to and extending outwardly from the neck, a valve seat at the inner end of said housing, a valve normally resting upon said seat, said housing having its outer end reduced in diameter and provided with a continuous outwardly flared valve seat coaxial with the first named valve seat, a valve normally resting upon the flared seat, a hollow guard depending axially from the last named valve and terminating in close proximity to the first named valve, a ball weight positioned within the guard and normally resting upon the first valve and out of actual contact with said guard, said weight operating to seat the first named valve and open the second valve in alternation in response to predetermined changes in the position of the receptacle and means providing vents across both of said valve seats, said vents each comprising a shallow groove extending entirely across the corresponding valve seat.

6. In a dispensing closure for a receptacle having a neck, a generally cylindrical housing attached to and extending outwardly from the neck, a valve seat at the inner end of said housing, a valve normally resting upon said seat and including a hollow frusto-conical body and an annular radial flange, the latter engaging the valve seat while the body depends through it and into the receptacle neck, said housing having its outer end reduced in diameter and provided with a pouring lip and a flared internal valve seat, a valve normally resting upon the flared valve seat, an inverted hollow frusto-conical uard attached to the last named valve in axial alignment with the first valve, the open end of said guard in part telescoping over the flange of the first valve and a ball weight interposed for free limited movement between the guard and first valve and for the greater part housed within said frusto-conical guard and operating to seat the first named valve and open the second valve in alternation in response to predetermined changes in the position of the receptacle, and means providing vents across at least one of the valve seats.

DAVID H. SEGERLUND. 

